How to make money as a freelance writer by finding clients on the web. Or make the most of content mills or sharing sites. There is a whole new world out there. There are websites for finding writing assignments and clients. There are sites to post content and earn money from views and clicks. And sites just for fun. Your choice.
This article is all about freelance writing for clients and websites, finding clients, working for content sites and posting pieces just for the love of it. The writing world is wider than people realise. My recent explorations have shown that freelance writing can be much more than being “free” of employment.
Freelancing for clients
This week Linkedin invited me to join their forum groups, and one I joined was “The Freelance Writers Connection”. I was overwhelmed. They were discussing whether or not they were getting a dollar per word. Someone said that $50,000 dollars per year plus was her target. $30 per hour for proof-reading was seen as cheap. Demand Media claimed to pay “a penny a word”. Someone said $20 dollars for 500 words is poor. Another that $50 an article is poor. Yet another got $250 per piece on Provoices. And so on. Well I recently joined Constant Content (which gives you clients) but these guys have obviously gone much further.
Of course, to freelance you have to be able to write stuff that will sell a product or company (or whatever). You must keep all your clients happy. First you have to be able to haggle a good price. Academic excellence is irrelevant: your words must sell.
Content mill writing for pocket money
These freelancers class many content sites as mills. Demand Media, Associated Content, Suite 101, Factoidz, Bukisa and Triond are often cited as such. In fact I happen to use most of these myself. Some so-called mills actually link you with clients, so it’s confusing. Anyway, most of them pay by view or advertisement click. No haggling over pay. Nobody to keep happy. Some sites actually show you how to write, or at least provide “learning hubs” and the like. Suite 101 and Factoidz give you tests etc. and vet your work before you can publish. You are looked after, and sometimes admonished if you underperform. Overall less pay but less hassle.
Writing for The Love of It
Finally there is writing for the sheer love of it. You can still post on “content mills” of course. But wherever you post there’s no need to worry about views, advertisement clicks, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) – tags, keyword phrases, “analytics” etc. You can make friends on forums, admire one another’s work, and just have fun. One freelancer said he had decided long ago never to “give away” his work for peanuts or nothing. Sharing? Anyhow, useful sites for love are Voicesnet, Neopoet (if it reopens), Poetfreak, Poetry for Friends and Poetry 123.
Money, security, enjoyment, it’s up to you
Go get clients. Work those mills. Love those poetry sites. It’s all up to you.
For the would be freelancer, here are some interesting links:
And someone mentioned Craig’s List.
Over to You.
Google Analytics Code:
